§ [THIRD READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Third Reading read.
LORD BELHAVEN AND STENTONMy Lords, in moving the Third Reading of this Bill I wish to make an earnest appeal to His Majesty's Government to give every facility in their power for the further progress of this measure. I make this appeal on two grounds. In the first place, the Select Committee of your Lordships' house to which this Bill was referred, received many Amendments from the various Government Departments, and they have embodied in the Bill the whole of those Amendments. Then there is the great support the Bill has received throughout the country, which is shown by the enormous number of petitions in its favour which have been sent in. The town, city, and county councils which have presented petitions represent a population of over 8,000,000. Fifty chambers of commerce have petitioned, as well as forty-two trades unions, representing 300,000 members, sixty teachers' associations, the inspectors of weights and measures in eighty districts, and thirty retail trades associations. Several chambers of agriculture and farmers' associations have also petitioned, and I may add that the whole of Scotland, as represented by the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture and the Highland Society, is with us. The petitioners too, include a vast number of engineers and manufacturers of all sorts. I think these facts prove that there is a very strong feeling in the country in favour of the adoption of the metric system.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 3a"—(Lord Belhaven and Stenton.)
§ On Question, Bill read 3a; an Amendment (Privilege) made; Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.